England’s Harry Kane wins Ballon d’Or; Spain’s Alexia Putellas picks up women’s award

[LONDON] Harry Kane completed his long quest for football’s highest individual honour on Monday (Oct 26), with the Bayern Munich and England striker winning the Ballon d’Or after a record-breaking season that cemented his status as one of the game’s greatest goalscorers.

Kane is the first Englishman to win the prestigious award in 25 years, after Michael Owen won it in 2001.

“Wow, wow, wow,” he said after taking the stage. “I am almost speechless. Being here in London has made it extra special. Made it a good omen for me tonight. Thank you to everyone who voted for me. I can imagine it was tough this year.”

He added: “Some world-class players in the room tonight. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees tonight and impressive showing determination and hard work can really achieve.”

Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas won the Ballon d’Or Feminin for the third time.

Kane’s move to Bayern in 2023 brought the team trophies that had long eluded him. In the 2025-to-2026 season, he coupled that success with goal-scoring numbers that made him the leading Ballon d’Or candidate.

The England captain produced his most prolific campaign, scoring 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern across all competitions as the German side completed a domestic league and cup double.

By the end of the season, he had established himself as Europe’s leading goalscorer.

His influence stretched far beyond club football.

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He scored six goals at the World Cup and led England to the semi-finals, combining his clinical finishing with the leadership and composure that have defined his international career.

The award represents the culmination of a remarkable journey. Few players have experienced a career arc quite like Kane’s; he thanked all of his career coaches in his emotional speech, plus Tottenham Hotspur and his wife Kate.

Once struggling to establish himself at Spurs as a youngster, being sent out on numerous loans, he developed into one of the most complete centre forwards of his generation, capable of scoring every type of goal while also functioning as a playmaker.

“It’s about the journey,” Kane said.

“Anything is possible, work hard when nobody is watching. For any young boy or girl wanting to achieve their dreams, anything is possible. I wasn’t the kid who went straight to the top. I had to experience the downs. I had to find my way to be the very best right now.”

Consistency

The Ballon d’Or has often rewarded players whose success was built on flair and spectacle, but Kane’s triumph is a tribute to consistency, intelligence and productivity on an exceptional scale.

Week after week, he delivered. Match after match, he decided contests. There were no prolonged slumps and few quiet nights.

His numbers were almost impossible to ignore.

Kane finished the campaign with 73 goals for club and country, a total rarely seen in the modern era. More importantly, those goals arrived in moments of genuine significance, helping Bayern collect trophies and driving England deep into the biggest tournament in the sport.

The competition for this year’s award was fierce. Kylian Mbappe broke World Cup scoring records. Lamine Yamal helped Spain to World Cup glory. Yet voters ultimately chose Kane, whose excellence lasted the entire season.

Mbappe finished second, followed by Lamine, Rodri and Lionel Messi.

At 33, Kane has finally claimed the game’s highest individual honour, adding a Ballon d’Or to a legacy that already places him among football’s greatest strikers as England’s all-time leading marksman and their record World Cup scorer.

Putellas was presented with the women’s award after winning the treble with Barcelona in the 2025-to-2026 campaign, in addition to the Spanish Super Cup. She moved to Women’s Super League side London City Lionesses in July after 14 years at Barca.

Spain and Barcelona players won the young talent awards; Lamine picked up his third trophy and Vicky Lopez took home the women’s award for the second successive year.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was named men’s coach of the year, while Barcelona’s Pere Romeu won the women’s coaching award.

The men’s goalkeeper award went to Unai Simon of Spain and Athletic Bilbao, while Cata Coll of Spain and Barcelona won the women’s award.

Paris St Germain won the men’s club of the year award, while Barcelona picked up the women’s honours. Kane won the men’s striker of the year prize, while Charlyn Corral was named top women’s striker.

Arsenal and England winger Bukayo Saka was presented with the Socrates Award for humanitarian work. REUTERS